New Year Turks and Caicos holidays

New Year traditions in Turks and Caicos

New Year’s Eve, or Old Year’s Night as it’s called by the locals, is traditionally celebrated on the beach in Turks and Caicos. You can find beach parties with roaring bonfires and live music all over. Catholic islanders usually attend an evening church service. It’s tradition for the church bells to ring out in unison, as it’s believed this will bring good luck in the new year.

Grace Bay in Providenciales is renowned for the best New Year’s Eve celebration in Turks and Caicos. When the clocks strike midnight, dazzling fireworks displays light up the sky, as goatskin drums, cowbells, whistles, and horns fill the night with the sound of Ripsaw. This is when the Junkanoo Jump Up carnival really kicks in, and it carries on through to sunrise! The entire Grace Bay area thrives with joy. Islanders parade down the streets in embellished costumes adorned with jewels, feathers, and ribbons.

This tradition is thought to originate from the 16th century when the enslaved people of Turks and Caicos were usually only given Christmas or New Year’s Day off. They would paint old clothes in vibrant colours and tie bright strips of ribbon to their robes. Costumes were also made of crepe paper and cardboard. It’s amazing to witness how this tradition has evolved and is embraced, especially in Providenciales.

Best places to celebrate New Year in Turks and Caicos

Grace Bay in Providenciales is the heart of tourism in Turks and Caicos, so it’s no surprise that the best New Year celebrations go on here. The Grace Bay area is a great place to spend New Year’s Eve, with plenty of resorts, restaurants and bars hosting their own celebrations and fireworks displays. Flamingo Café (also known as Ricky’s) on Grace Bay Beach is known for hosting one of the biggest parties, with a huge roaring bonfire and drinks flowing all night long. You can enjoy dinner at Somewhere Café & Lounge on the beach, followed by live music, dancing and DJs before they set off their very own fireworks display.

Best hotels to celebrate New Year in Turks and Caicos

There’s no shortage of luxury resorts in Grace Bay, but the Grace Bay Club stands out as an excellent choice for New Year’s Eve. This resort prides itself on timeless luxury. There’s something for everyone here, the resort features adult-only suites, as well as family-friendly villas, and super deluxe estates. Grace Bay Club hosts a beach-side party on New Year’s Eve, complete with fire pits, fairy lights and balloons. All night long there are performances from fire twirlers and DJs. When midnight strikes, the resort put on their own extravagant fireworks display on the beach. Dance into the new year at one of the top-rated locations in Turks and Caicos.

The Palms is a premier 5-star resort, located just a stone’s throw from the gorgeous Grace Bay Beach. If you need any alone time, The Palms offers their exclusive kid’s club for ages 4 – 12. The Conch Kritters Club has half-day and full-day itineraries available for your little ones, they’ll be in safe hands having fun in the sun while you have some time to relax. Have you ever tried moon bathing? The Palms offers moonlit spa treatments to soak up all that good energy, followed by cocktails and snacks under the gleaming stars.

This resort hosts their very own New Year’s Eve party called ‘Rock the Beach’. You’ll have a delicious gourmet dinner, followed by a champagne toast, music, dancing, and fireworks. You can either join in the festivities or relax and watch the spectacular views of the fireworks from your own private terrace.